Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibition set for Sept. 22

Approximately 20 local artisans will participate in the Sept. 22 Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibition. (Photo provided)

Staff Report

Saturday, Sept. 22, Rockford will be the place to be for the Midwest’s Fourth Annual Handmade Music Exhibition.

Regional and local artisans of handmade musical instruments will showcase their instrument creations at this lively festival at Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford.

The festival of splendid handmade musical instruments by local artisans will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 22, with free admission and live music all day.

Featured will be acoustic and electric guitars, lutes, violins, drums and other unique handmade instruments, demonstrated by the artisans who create them.

Approximately 20 local artisans will display their handmade musical creations and explain how and why they make their instruments. Many instruments will be for sale from a few dollars to several thousand dollars, and attendees will be encouraged to play the instruments.

The event is the only one of its kind in the area and will feature the hidden talents of the local community and their ability to take simple materials and create splendid musical instruments completely by hand.

As an educational event, there will be much to learn about how instruments are made. Instruments will be represented from renaissance to electronic, simple to elegant, amateur to professional at this locally-organized free event.

The exposition was created and is organized by Jim Worland and David Stocker.

Worland is a nationally-known luthier and Rockford artist who creates splendid electric and acoustic guitars. His acoustic division, Worland Guitars, creates the finest acoustic creations of custom one-of-a-kind guitars. Worland is also the creator of the world’s only Harp guitars. His talents have been sought worldwide, and he is fast becoming one of the most sought-after custom guitar makers in the country. Find out more at www.worlandguitars.com.

Stocker, of Dijeridoo Productions, is a master’s graduate of the Yale University School of Drama. As actor and singer, Stocker has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad. As a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, his talents have delighted thousands of school-age children and adults through his arts residencies in instrument-making, his concerts and his storytelling/musical performances: “Stories of Who We Are.” He is a State of Illinois Artist in Residence whose work has received numerous educational grant awards. Find out more information at www.davidstocker.net.

Admission to the festival is free, and exhibitor space is free to the first 20 exhibitors. Contact Worland at (815) 961-8854 or jim@worlandguitars.com for more details.